How do you win a war when:?

Question

-You have to fight 3 different enemies at the same time: Iraqi Sunnis insurgents, Iraqi Shiite militias & Al Qaeda.

-Your troops can't identify the enemy because they all look like the civilian population.

-You don't have enough troops to secure the borders which means insurgents/terrorists can come & go as the please.

-You have an extremely fragile new Democratic Govt. that is barely functioning.

-You have rules of engagement that tie one hand behind the backs of all your troops while the people they are fighting follow no rules.

-You're fighting in the middle of a sectarian/civil war.

-And even with a number of troop "Surges" you still don't have enough troops to win the war.

Now I thought about throwing in the Dems & Bush as part of the problem of not winning the war but as you can see they're are so many other reasons that have nothing to do with the Dems or Bush that they almost don't matter.

Answer 1

Well, the definition of winning a war is when your enemy surrenders unconditionally. That won't happen here, so the rules have to be redefined.

A stable situation, similar to Israel's would be a victory. We already have had several victories from free elections to eliminating the dictator terrorizing the citizens to a free press.

But victory isn't winning.

If, on the other hand, we eliminate all the evil in the world and allow for freedoms, whether democracy or not, then that will be the closest to winning we can get.

Remember, we won the cold war, even though there are still communist nations still in existence.

Answer 2

You forgot the terrorist's 5 column the press. Until the Iraqi people have the faith in themselves & stop playing with a tribal mentality a solution doesn't exist.

Here is the problem that the question doesn't address. If the left is correct that we are in the center of a civil war & we leave, what will happen? 1st those that don't control the oil will ignite it! If they don't some of those funds will be used to by weapons. Since the oil wells are a blaze, more green house gases & other polutants. Oil prices will rize. 1st world economy will falter. Dollars for social Security will decrease, because the economy is going into a resecsion. The Dem's are blaiming the reseccion on Bush. As the 1st world econmy spirals down the stock market joins in on the spiral.

What are the Dems going to offer to get the economy moving. Will they have a plan that stops the civil war?

Answer 3

If you ever read about the great conquerors in history, Ghangis Khan, Alexander the Great, Julius Ceasar, etc etc, you'll see that the only way to REALLY win a war is by offering your enemy a choice - either surrender and do not resist, or every single one of you die. Then, if there ever is any resistance at all, you kill every single man except like 3. You then send these three men to the next city to inform them of what happened so that they know better than to resist when you go to battle them. Rinse and repeat.

I know that sounds harsh, and I know that we were able to defeat Japan in WWII without doing this but historically speaking, this is the exception not the rule. The Japanese are a very civilized, disciplined people. When their Emperor told them to fight to the death, they were all going to fight to the death. When the Emperor told them to lay down their arms, they laid down their arms. We couldn't hope for that out of Saddam Hussein.

The other problem is that in this day and age, you can't just kill an entire population, so to make an ultimatum like that would be laughable. It will happen again one day. So let it be written, so let it be done.

Answer 4

This is very short sighted. It would be like how can we fight the Germans (in WWII) because they look like most of America.. Some of the changes that were implemented by the President this last time round were the rules of engagement (which have beeb stupid as you suggest). Can we win without the support of the Dems? Maybe, can we loose with fighting the Dems on top of the enemies that you poiont out? Not likely.

Answer 5

To be worried about Social Security money falling short due to the Middle East crisis is, to me obsured. Our own government will destroy that with or without a war. look at what has happened so far.

To stay the course for stability in the Middle East is our only option to try to keep global stability. That region has been engaged in wars since the eviction from Eden. We, as a military superpower, must do what we can to ensure that what happens in the Middle East stays in the middle east.

Answer 6

An old proverb says;"you eat an elephant one bite at a time." We Americans are generally optimistic problem-solvers and right always conquers over wrong. With persistent effort while keeping mind of the ultimate goal, we will be successful.... despite all the obstacles.

Answer 7

So do you suggest we just do nothing then? What would be your plan for fighting the terrorists because you have to know they aren't going to quit? And what do you suggest we do about Iran overtaking Iraq with Russia to back them up? We have been dealing with terrorists before Iraq came up so it isn't a new problem, they have hit us several times in the past. 9/11 being the big one. So what are your ideas on this.

Answer 8

As a backer on this war in Iraq, I must admit your points are on the mark! Maybe it cannot be a matter of winning but rather one of assisting the current ruling party in Iraq to start getting TOUGH on this civil war crap...they can tell who's who. Good points.....

Answer 9

You started to repeat yourself, there, but, no you can't win like that. You have to change at least one of the things that are making it impossible to win. You can't change the enemy, you can't make resources apear out of thin air, you can't make your 'allies' less incompetent.

That leaves the rules of engagement.

Answer 10

This war can't be won, that's why it makes sense to stop needlessly sacrificing soldier's lives and get them the hell out of there! The only reason they're still there risking their necks day in and day out is Bush's ego and pride, nothing else.